Max Verstappen concluded the first practice session for the GT World Challenge Europe Endurance Cup finale at Portimao in 20th position. The session on Friday morning saw the four-time Formula 1 champion involved in an early on-track incident. Verstappen’s best lap time was a 1:43.046.
The contact occurred just three minutes into Free Practice 1 at the Autodromo Internacional do Algarve. Verstappen, driving the #3 Mercedes-AMG GT3 EVO, brushed wheels with Ezequiel Pérez Companc in the #25 Sainteloc Racing Audi R8 LMS GT3 Evo II at Turn 3.
Race control has placed the incident under investigation. Verstappen was observed gesturing in frustration after the contact, which resulted in the Audi spinning. Potential penalties for such incidents in GT World Challenge Europe include grid drops or loss of practice time.
Verstappen spent 47 of the 90 minutes behind the wheel during his opening stint. His primary focus was on gathering crucial data for long runs. He later returned for the final eight minutes of the session.
Christopher Haase set the fastest time in FP1, piloting the #84 Eastalent Racing Audi R8 LMS GT3 Evo II. Haase recorded a lap of 1:42.643s.
Kelvin van der Linde secured the second-fastest time, just 0.004 seconds behind Haase, in the Team WRT-BMW. Alex Aka completed the top three with a 1:42.686 in the #99 Tresor Attempto-Audi.
Verstappen’s 1:43.046 lap placed him 0.403 seconds off the top time. A marginal improvement of 0.1 seconds would have elevated him to 12th position, highlighting the competitive nature of the field.
The Portimao event marks Verstappen’s return to GT racing following his participation in the Nürburgring 24 Hours in May 2026. In that endurance race, his Mercedes-AMG Team Verstappen Racing entry suffered a driveshaft failure while leading.
For the GT World Challenge Europe finale, Verstappen shares the #3 Mercedes-AMG GT3 EVO with British drivers Ben Barnicoat and Chris Lulham. Barnicoat brings extensive endurance racing experience to the team.
The 61-car entry list for Portimao includes other notable names. Former MotoGP champion Valentino Rossi finished FP1 in fifth place. Ex-Formula 1 driver Nikita Mazepin ended the session in 17th position.
This weekend’s event at the Autódromo Internacional do Algarve is the season finale for the GT World Challenge Europe Endurance Cup. The three-hour race will conclude under darkness on Saturday.
The Endurance Cup drivers’ title has already been secured by Lucas Auer, Maro Engel, and Luca Stolz in the #48 Mercedes-AMG Team MANN-FILTER. However, the global manufacturers’ title remains undecided.
Mercedes-AMG currently holds a six-point lead over Porsche in the manufacturers’ standings. The outcome of the Portimao race will determine the final championship winner.
The second 90-minute practice session is scheduled to commence at 12:45 local time on Friday. Qualifying for the endurance race will take place later on Friday evening.
